This news footage captures Czech dancing as a part of the Texas Folklife Festival at HemisFair Park in San Antonio. Sponsored by the University of Texas at San Antonio’s Institute of Texan Cultures, Wally Pryor served as the Folklife Festival emcee for several years. Czech folk traditions have been a staple in the Texan cultural landscape since Czech immigration to the state in the mid 1800s. Girls dressed in traditional kroje dance in circles in front of a large crowd. In addition to dancing, Czech pastry and puppet theater are also showcased in the film.

Known to many as the “Voice of the Longhorns,” Wally Pryor served as the announcer for UT sports from 1953 until 2002. While his voice was certainly recognizable he also played an active role as a producer – for KTBC, amongst others – and regularly served as an emcee for various events. Wally regularly worked as a producer for his older brother Richard “Cactus” Pryor. The films in the Wallace and Euna Pryor Collection represent a range of films, including home movies, various pieces he produced, and films featuring himself or Cactus Pryor.  

San Antonio Bexar County

TFC 1970s 1970’s San Antonio Bexar County Wally Pryor Wallace Pryor UTSA University of Texas at San Antonio Institute of Texan Cultures

UT UTexas HemisFair Park Folklife Festival park Kolache pastry homemade home made girls

palm trees folk dancers Czech dancers traditional dress Czech dress kroje folk fest folk dancing folk dance circle dance

stage crowd performance demonstration celebration punch and Judy puppet show hand puppet clown children

kids flags audience choir festival culture Czech newsreel news reel raw footage

b-roll